Timeform Radio Racing Tips: Carole to show fighting Spirit

David brings you three bets from Sandown

David Cleary has scoured the Sandown card and found three selections for you...

It's commonplace to say that Imperial Cup day at Sandown provides several races that wouldn't be out of place at the Cheltenham Festival, so competitive are they, but that makes it no less true and those who want to be sure of all funds intact for next week may be best staying out of today's action. Hopefully, though, fortune will favour the brave, as there look to be several tempting options around, despite the difficulty of some of the races to solve.

The Imperial Cup itself, due off at 15.15, sees Mr Mole a warm favourite and deservedly so, in terms of potential at least, for there looked to be bags more to come when he scored at Taunton last time. He might just hack up, but the problem with him is his clearly quirky nature and that might be his undoing against some progressive and more battle-hardened rivals. The pick of those is Tominator, who progressed again to win a small-field novice here last time, in the process showing he can cope with the mud. He was very effective in this sort of race on the Flat and there may well be quite a lot of improvement to come now he tackles a big-field handicap over jumps. His initial mark gives him plenty of scope to do so, so far as his level on the Flat is concerned. Another handicap debutant Valdez ran really well against two smart prospects at Doncaster last time and looks overpriced, but Tominator is the main fancy.

The listed mares bumper (15.50) is always a tough race to crack and even with a handful out due to the much softer ground than anticipated, there are as many as eight that can be seriously fancied. However, the one who is plainly overpriced is Carole's Spirit. She showed improved form when winning under testing conditions at Warwick on her reappearance and this stiffer track ought to play to her strengths still more. She has the best pedigree in the field, so far as bumpers are concerned, her dam having produced two winners of listed/graded events, while her Flat-oriented sire Hernando has his share of bumper winners too. It would be easier to name those that can't win than list the dangers, but Carole's Spirit looks worth chancing.

The EBF Final at 14.05 is usually the most competitive race on the whole card, and that may well be the case this year, though a limited weight range gives those at the top of the handicap a better chance, particularly when they're still progressing, like Many Clouds today. His form in novices looks strong, his initial mark is a fair one and he handles testing ground really well. Many Clouds can carry topweight to victory. 

Recommended Bets:

Back Tominator @ 8.615/2 in the 15.15 at Sandown
Back Carole's Spirit @ 21.020/1 in the 15.50 at Sandown
Back Many Clouds @ 9.08/1 in the 14.05 at Sandown

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